Sr Stan has revealed that she will vote in favour of marriage equality in the forthcoming referendum, in spite of the Catholic Church’s stance on the issue.

Sr Stanislaus Kennedy – affectionately known as Sr Stan – told The Irish Times, “I have thought a lot about this. I am going to vote Yes in recognition of the gay community as full members of society. They should have an entitlement to marry. It is a civil right and a human right.”

The 75 year-old is a popular activist, a member of the congregation of the Religious Sisters of Charity and founder of the homeless charity Focus Ireland. She is the latest in a long list of high-ranking members of the Catholic Church and Church of Ireland to support marriage equality.

“I have a big commitment to equality for all members of society. It’s what my life has been about. We have discriminated against members of the gay and lesbian community for too long. This is a way of embracing them as full members of society.”

Grainne Healy, spokesperson for Yes Equality said, “Sr Stan is a much respected public figure in Ireland and her thoughtful reflection on this important issue is warming and uplifting. Sr Stan recognises that a Yes vote on May 22 underpins the journey towards full equality for lesbian and gay people.

“Sr Stan joins a line of thoughtful, committed and compassionate Catholics who have given affirmation to lesbian and gay people in Ireland and are staunchly supporting a Yes vote in the referendum on May 22,” Healy said.